Many are the roads that lead to menstrual cups: you may be tired of the pink tax, want a more non-toxic approach to period care, or maybe you want to leave a smaller carbon footprint. You may also simply be curious as to what all the buzz surrounding menstrual cups is about. 

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is a small device, shaped like a cup, worn internally to collect your menstrual flow instead of absorbing it – they’re washable and reusable. There are a lot of benefits to using a menstrual cup: saves money, is non-toxic, more comfortable without drying you out, can be worn for up to 12 hours, and reduces environmental waste. Many users are switching from traditional period care options, such as disposable tampons and pads, which often contain harmful chemical composition and plastics, to more eco-friendly, non-toxic options like period cups, discs, and period underwear.

What are the benefits of menstrual cups?

Switching over to a menstrual cup can benefit your life in many ways. 

Comfort and convenience 

Most menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours, which allows you to go about your day without inconveniently having to change a pad or tampon every 2-3 hours – protecting you from leaks and giving you total peace of mind during your period. They work with your natural lubrication and pH balance - that means no more dryness, irritation, or pee strings! They won’t stick to your butt or make you feel self-conscious that your pad can be seen through your pants. You can wear them comfortably during sports, workouts, and swimming without a care in the world. Period cups are extremely comfy and easy to clean.

Feel cleaner + No odor

Most first-time menstrual cup users are worried that switching to a cup might be messy or smelly, and they find the opposite to be true. Have you ever noticed a funky smell coming from a pad you left for too long? The funky smell wafting up from your pad is actually not your period blood or you that smells - it’s the bacteria growing on your pad after the menstrual blood is exposed to air and potential chemicals (and perfumes) in a pad. Plastic pads tend to lock in body heat, creating a moist and warm environment for the bacteria (and smell) to grow. 

Because most menstrual cups are made with medical-grade silicone and worn internally, there are no funky or unnatural odors! The menstrual cup works by forming a gentle, yet secure, seal with your vaginal walls preventing leaks, even while active. To empty the cup, one must break the seal by pinching the base of the cup, often over a toilet, where the blood is contained inside of the cup until you empty it. No mess, no stress.

Save Money

You’ll definitely save some moolah by choosing to switch to menstrual cups. The cost burden of purchasing disposables every month can really add up over time. How much? You’ll spend around $20 in disposable period care per cycle, costing you on average $1,200 every 5 years. To put that in perspective, the average person will have over 500 periods in 38 years of their life.So, how much do menstrual cups cost? They vary depending on the brand, but most high-quality, FDA-registered menstrual cups worth buying range from $29.00 to $39.00 - keep in mind, you’ll only spend the money once and the period cup will last for years. 

Sustainable

So, how long do menstrual cups last? With proper care, one menstrual cup can last for several years. The FDA recommends replacing your menstrual cup every 2-3 years and some prefer to replace it more often due to its personal hygiene nature. Compare that to the 20 million non-biodegradable disposables tossed into our landfills and waterways every year, in the US alone.

How to choose your first menstrual cup

So you’re sold, you’ve decided to make the switch for your comfort, your health, and the environment, but you’re still confused. How in the world will you choose which menstrual cup? There are many cups in the market, and it can feel a little overwhelming to choose. More importantly, which menstrual cup is best for beginners? 

No worries, we’ve got you covered. First off, everyone’s body has different needs.The best menstrual cups for you may not work as well for your bestie. These are just facts. Experimenting a bit with different cups isn’t a bad idea, seeing as how different cups fit different bodies and lifestyles. Most brands, such asVOXAPOD, have a satisfaction guarantee. This means if you’re not happy with your cup, you can get your money back and try something else. No strings attached! So feel free to experiment with different cups.

However, certain brands are better for beginners. You may be asking yourself,which menstrual cup is best for me? To answer that, let’s go through some important factors you should take into consideration when choosing your first cup.

Size

Many brands will offer at least two sizes, small and medium. Every vagina is unique and shaped slightly differently. When you’re a first-time cup user, a small size would often be the recommended choice. However, if you have experienced vaginal births or have weak pelvic floor muscles, thebest menstrual cup postpartum would be a medium or large size. Furthermore, your vaginal canal can change and lose elasticity as you age and your estrogen decreases, so your age will also play a role when choosing. The same sizes can differ between different menstrual cup brands, so make sure to follow the brand’smenstrual cup size guide recommendations. What if you’ve never had sex?The best menstrual cups for virgins are the same as for beginners, simply start with a small size and go from there. 

Capacity

How much do menstrual cups hold? Most menstrual cups hold 3-5 tampons worth or more. A crucial factor when choosing your cup is how heavy your flow is. Do you have a light flow or does it feel like Niagara Falls when you’re on your period? It’s simple: if you have a lighter flow, go with a smaller cup, but if you have a heavier flow, a larger cup would be the best option unless you have strong pelvic floor muscles, then you’ll want the smaller size and to empty it 1-2 more times during the day on your heavy days. Thebest menstrual cups for heavy flow would be bigger-sized menstrual cups, regardless of the brand. 

Firmness and shape

Beginners may find softer cups easier to insert and remove, but the suction might not be as strong as with firmer cups, potentially causing leaks. As well as differing in firmness, cups often have different shapes. There are bell-shaped cups, round cups, and short and tall cups. What you find to be ideal is a completely personal decision, but those with a low cervix usually prefer a shorter, smaller menstrual cup.The best menstrual cup after birth would tend to be firmer, to accommodate recovering and likely weaker pelvic floor muscles to create a strong enough suction seal to prevent leaks.

Material

Your vagina is incredibly absorbent, more so than your normal skin, so what you put into it matters. The material your menstrual cup is made of should be non-toxic, odorless, hypoallergenic, and free of latex or plastic. Before purchasing a menstrual cup, verify the materials it is made with to ensure you’re not allergic to any of them. The brands we recommend here use 100% medical-grade silicone, made without natural rubber latex. 

Social Impact

In the US alone, 60% of families have had to choose between period care and food at some point and 40-60% of youth in developing countries will miss or drop out of school due to a lack of access to safe and regular period products. No one should be denied basic opportunity or dignity because of a biological need. If you’re someone that likes to support a good cause with your money, there are many menstrual cup benefit corporations giving back by donating products and funds to help those in need.

If you’re still feeling confused about what size you might need, here is the best menstrual cup quiz to take the guesswork out of it and help you determine the best menstrual cup size based on your unique body.

The 7 Best Menstrual Cups for Beginners

We’ve carefully picked out the best menstrual cups for first-time users. Feel free to compare and contrast to see which one is the best fit for you!

1.VOXAPOD Menstrual Cup

This woman-owned patented menstrual cup gives you up to 12 hours of worry-free protection and molds to your unique body shape. It is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and contains no BPA, latex, or plastic: simply 100% medical-grade silicone goodness. It features pinch grips at the base that makes insertion and removal for beginners easier and a soft, flexible stem to eliminate poking near the vaginal opening. It accommodates a high cervix but is also one ofthe best menstrual cups for a low cervix.

Sizes: 

• Small (can hold up to 3 tampons capacity, pre-birth)
• Medium (can hold up to 5 tampons capacity, good for anyone with slight bladder leaks)

Firmness:

The cup body is soft and flexible to move comfortably with your body with patented silicone ribbing that is firm enough to help the cup open and collapse when needed to create a good seal to prevent leaks, even while active, and break the seal for a smooth, easy removal. 

Impact:

VOXAPOD is a benefit corporation fighting the gender gap, reducing waste, and building more equitable communities.Their products are ethically sourced, sustainably made, and every purchase helps provide safe period care to those in need so they can stay in school, go to work, and live out their potential with confidence. They’re creating intersectional impact, including gender equity, access to health care and education, social and economic development, and environmental protection – because all of these things impact our well-being.

Pricing:

$29.00 for a single cup or 4 interest-free payments of $7.25 with Afterpay, or $49.00 for a dual pack.

Refund policy:

Hassle-free, money-back guarantee for 120 days. If you're not 100% happy with your VOXAPOD purchase, please reach out to them and they will help you find a better fit or make it right. 

2. Ruby Cup

The Ruby Cup is conical-shaped, vegan, and made out of 100% medical-grade silicone. 

Sizes: 

• Small (can hold up to 2-3 tampons capacity)
• Medium (can hold up to 3-4 tampons capacity)

Firmness:

Firm rim to ensure a leak-proof seal and a soft and flexible body with a sturdy stem for removal.

Impact:

Every Ruby Cup purchase includes a donation to someone without access to menstrual products.

Pricing:

$34.00 for a single cup.

Refund policy:

120-day money-back guarantee.

3.AllMatters Menstrual Cup

A hypoallergenic, vegan, and long-lasting menstrual cup. It’s produced in Germany and for all the eco-baddies out there, all their packaging is made from recyclable paper and cardboard.

Sizes: 

• Size A for those who have not given birth vaginally
• Size B for those who have
• Mini for teens or those who need a smaller size 

Firmness:

Soft and easy to fold, which can make it harder for it to pop open automatically when inserted.

Impact:

All Matters provides free menstrual cups to partner universities in the USA and works with NGOs through the donation of educational material and products to fight for menstrual equity. 

Pricing:

$28.00 for a single cup.

Refund policy:

You can claim the guarantee after trying the cup for a minimum of 90 days (3 cycles). They offer a free size exchange or a full refund.

4.Flex Menstrual Cup

This cup is great for beginners and features a patented pull tab, similar to a tampon string. 

Sizes: 

• Size 01 with the capacity of 2 super tampons
• Size 02 with the capacity of 3 super tampons (especially for those who have had vaginal births) 

Firmness:

Smooth, soft cup, so you rely on the pull tab to be able to easily remove it, in comparison to other cups.

Impact:

Responsibly sourced materials.  

Pricing:

$34.99 for a single cup.

Refund policy:

All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges.

5.Cora Menstrual Cup

This first-timer-friendly cup can be worn for up to 12 hours with comfortable leak protection. It features a textured base which makes it easier to remove.

Sizes: 

• Size 1 is for menstruators who have not given birth, do not experience bladder leaks, and have a light to medium flow
• Size 2 is for menstruators who have given birth, may experience bladder leaks, and have a medium to heavy flow

Firmness:

Ultra-soft and flexible cup, making it easy to fold and insert.

Impact:

With each Cora purchase, they provide period products and body literacy resources to people who might otherwise go without, fighting period inequity.

Pricing:

$39.00 for a single cup.

Refund policy:

No returns, but if you are unhappy with the cup you can reach out to them.

6.Diva Cup

One of the oldest cups in the market, it has 3 sizes to choose from and has been a pioneer in period care since 2003.

Sizes: 

• Model 0 holds 4 regular tampons worth, ideal for first-time users or slim vaginal canals
• Model 1 holds 5 regular tampons worth, for medium to heavy flow days
• Model 2 holds 6 regular tampons worth, and it’s recommended for menstruators 35+ or with wider vaginal canals

Firmness:

Soft and flexible cup, yet firm enough to create suction.

Impact:

They work on destigmatizing menstruation through education and advocacy, as well as committing 2% of revenue to increase access to safe, affordable, and sustainable period care.

Pricing:

$35.00 for a single cup.

Refund policy:

You may request a refund or replacement product after talking to their support team.

7.Rael Menstrual Cup

Created by 3 Korean-American women, this cup is earth-friendly and can be worn for up to 12 hours. They aim to design products inspired by nature. 

Sizes: 

• Mini is recommended for first-time users or menstruators with a light to medium flow
• Size 1 is recommended for pre-birth menstruators or those with a medium flow
• Size 2 is recommended for those who have given vaginal births or have a heavy flow

Firmness:

Soft and flexible cup, yet seals easily.

Impact:

Rael works with partners to provide period education, advocate for menstrual dignity, and distribute menstrual essentials to underprivileged people in need all across the globe.

Pricing:

$24.99 for a single cup, or 4 interest-free payments of $6.25 with Afterpay.

Refund policy:

Rael will individually evaluate all return requests. You must reach out within 30 days of purchase to request a return, and items must be unopened, unused, and still in their original packaging. 

If a return is processed, you will receive a refund in the form of store credit (original shipping fee not included). The cost of the return label will be deducted from your store credit amount.

Takeaways

If you’ve decided to make the switch to a menstrual cup, kudos! We hope we’ve equipped you with all the information needed to decidewhich menstruation cup is the best for you. 

Not surewhere to buy menstrual cups? You can order them online from all of the brands listed here. We’d also recommend getting a menstrual cup sterilizer, to be able to easily clean your cup on the go or sterilize it between periods. Wondering where to get thebest menstrual cup sterilizer? We recommend VOXAPOD’s On-The-Go Menstrual Cup Sterilizer, collapsible and compact enough to easily fit into your back pocket or bag and is microwave-safe. 

Cups can help you save money over the long term, don’t contaminate your body with toxins, and are simply comfier. It’s normal for it to take a little bit of trial and error to find your fave brand, but we hope this article helped you decide. While there can be a learning curve for some users when it comes to menstrual cups, here is a detailed guide on how to use a menstrual cup, just in case you need to know how to insert a menstrual cup for beginners.

Still have questions? Drop them below!

Maria Laura Cordoba is a lifelong learner, avid traveler, and tea lover. While she was born in Venezuela, she’s lived on four continents and speaks Spanish, French, and English––currently residing in South Korea. Her varied cultural experiences have broadened her worldview and shaped the global citizen she is today, fueling her desire for collective change to make the earth an equal place for everyone independent of gender, race, or ethnicity. She is a passionate animal rights activist and enjoys exploring Korean food markets, vegan cuisine, and getting lost in nature with her dog.